Palacio del Marqués de Gaviria

Palacio del Marqués de Gaviria is one of the grandest 19th-century palaces in central Madrid, standing on Calle del Arenal between Puerta del Sol and the Teatro Real.

Where did this palace come from?

The building went up between 1846 and 1847, commissioned by Manuel Gaviria y Alcoba, a banker and stock-market financier who later received the title of 2nd Marquis of Gaviria and Count of Buena Esperanza. The design was entrusted to architect Aníbal Álvarez Bouquel, who drew on Roman models and the spirit of Italian Renaissance palaces for both the exterior and the interior decoration. Gaviria himself chose the site: by the mid-19th century, Calle del Arenal had become the most fashionable street among Madrid's bourgeoisie, sitting between the theatre and the square that already functioned as the city's heart. The palace was officially inaugurated in 1851 with a ball presided over by Queen Isabel II, instantly placing it among the capital's most prestigious residences. In 1977 it was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (Site of Cultural Interest), formally recognizing its architectural and historical value.

What will you see inside?

The interiors retain their rich 19th-century decoration — stuccowork, painted ceilings, and a sequence of salons of varying character that reflect the extravagance with which Madrid's financial elite once furnished their homes. Since March 2026, the palace has hosted a permanent exhibition called "Infinite Dalí," dedicated to Salvador Dalí's sculptural work from 1973 onward. Drawn from the Clot Collection, the show comprises fourteen sculptures, including pieces such as the "Space Elephant," the "Laughing Horsehead," and "Christ of Saint John of the Cross." Alongside the sculptures, visitors can see original drawings and the graphic series illustrating Dante's Divine Comedy from 1959–1960. The exhibition spreads across several of the palace's rooms, following Dalí's dreamlike, surrealist trajectory with references to literature, religion, and science. Earlier, between 1991 and 2011, these same rooms housed a nightclub known as "Palacio de Gaviria" — hard to picture while standing among Dalí's sculptures today, but that chapter is exactly what kept the building alive in the memory of several generations of madrileños as a nightlife landmark.

How do you get there?

The palace sits at Calle del Arenal 9, right in the heart of the Los Austrias district, a few minutes' walk from Puerta del Sol. It's one of those Madrid locations that pairs easily with other sightseeing stops: the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales stands nearby, and the famous Chocolatería San Ginés — perfect for a break with chocolate and churros — is just around the corner. The surrounding streets are packed with restaurants and shops, so a visit to the palace fits naturally into a longer stroll through old Madrid.

When should you visit?

Since the palace now operates as an exhibition venue, it's worth checking the current program before you go — opening hours and ticket details tend to shift with the events calendar. Given the intimate scale of the rooms, the interiors are best explored outside the busiest tourist window, meaning it's worth avoiding late Saturday and Sunday mornings if you can.

Frequently asked questions

Is Palacio del Marqués de Gaviria the same building as the old Gaviria nightclub? Yes — it's the same building. A nightclub operated there from 1991 to 2011, before the space was converted for exhibitions and events.

What exhibition is currently on view at the palace? Since March 2026, the palace has featured "Infinite Dalí," a permanent exhibition of fourteen Salvador Dalí sculptures from the Clot Collection.

Who built the palace, and when? It was built between 1846 and 1847 for banker Manuel Gaviria y Alcoba, designed by architect Aníbal Álvarez Bouquel, and inaugurated in 1851.

What's near the palace? The Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales and the Chocolatería San Ginés are both close by, and the palace is only a short walk from Puerta del Sol.